Portfolio

=Letter of Introduction= If the goals of this course have truly been to “//understand the systematic nature of language//”, “//explore the connections and tensions between oral and written language//”, “//become aware of linguistic terms and structures//”, “//identify the various purposes for which language is used and the influence of language on learning//”, “//examine the relationships among social identity, power, academic literacy//”, “//develop a personal philosophy and practices to prepare for the political dimensions of literacy instruction//”, and “//develop a personal philosophy and practices related to the teaching of grammar//” as the syllabus states- then this course has achieved these goals admirably. But more importantly; it has gone beyond these goals to show me that these are issues considerably more complex than I had once believed them to be. It might be that concrete answers to these questions are an impossibility- that to work with these concepts, these constraints and these tensions is at the very least an ongoing process, a constant work in progress which we all contribute to. The question then becomes how might I contribute? Looking back over the work of the semester- I sense that rather than becoming more assured in these areas, I have more accurately become more aware of what it is that I don’t know. I feel more acutely now what Chomsky means when he says

"//...the study of formal properties of language reveals some of the nature of humans in a negative way: it underscores with great clarity, the limits of our understanding...//" (Chomsky, 140)* So perhaps, I misspoke- perhaps I have not met the goals laid out for me at the outset of this course- however I find myself taking away something more valuable- an appetite for and desire to work against and with these issues to become a person who might impart something valuable to my students. I have certainly explored, examined, identified, and begun to develop some personal strategies and philosophies; but the greatest lesson I will take away from this course is that I realize now just how much more there is to learn, just how much deeper I will have to dig before I can even come close to having anything even resembling answers to these questions.

As we’ve said many times throughout the semester, language itself is a fluid and constantly changing and updating phenomenon that holds power over so many aspects of our lives- to think that in only a few months I could grapple and come to terms with the various tensions surrounding such a system would be foolish. However, I have begun to see in myself the limits of my thinking, the limits of my own knowledge and now that I have begun to map my ignorance- perhaps now I can begin to move more confidently in the right direction and explore with greater purpose. I will hopefully be able to ask better questions.

The readings and assignments we’ve had this semester, though, have also given me the belief that language is something that has the power to not only influence and constrain us, but it also is a system that we can use to empower ourselves and others, that in the end- language and literacy are tools.

If I have developed any firm beliefs about what and how I will teach- it is that each person requires the ability to both speak and be understood across the mediums which we encounter daily- and as a teacher it will be my responsibility to help students gain those skills. Not just through grammar instruction, but by helping them to realize the same things I have come to understand- that if language and literacy do not liberate they inhibit.

There’s a reason that I want to teach English and literature- I believe in the power of the creative and imaginative strengths of the individual. If nothing else- this course has offered me an opportunity to think about what exactly that means, and also how to practically approach making that goal a reality.


 * from the essay //Language and Freedom// by Noam Chomsky, 1970

=Three Essential Questions;= - The Power of Language - How are social identity, power, and academic literacy related? - How does students' language development affect their learning? - Difference Not Deficit - How can we bridge the gap between home and school literacies?

Additional Bibliography

=Major Assignments:=


 * Unit Question Response


 * Point of Tension Study


 * Linguistic Dimensions Assignment


 * Think Tank Response


 * Homonym Podcast


 * Other Assignments